Zhou explains F1 factors that support his prospects of retaining his seat

Zhou Guanyu is convinced that his future in Formula 1 will not only depend on results and suggests that people in the paddock look beyond the overall driver rankings.

The 25-year-old argues in an exclusive interview with RacingNews365.

The Chinese driver is competing in his third F1 season and does not have a driver seat for next year, with his chances of staying in the series limited to his current employer Stake and Alpine, where he was previously part of the junior program.

It has been a difficult season for Zhou. Although he is ahead of Valtteri Bottas in the drivers' championship, neither has scored a point so far. With just 10 of 24 rounds remaining, he is running out of options to secure his future.

Despite Zhou leading the Drivers' Championship thanks to his eleventh place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix at the start of the season, he has been outperformed by his teammate so far this season.

To make matters worse, Bottas also has no seat for 2025 and, alongside the new Nico Hülkenberg, could prove to be not only his closest but also his toughest competitor to stay in the team.

However, Zhou knows that to prove his worth and secure a new contract in F1, he needs more than just results.

“I think when you are a team or a person working in the paddock, you don’t just look at the table,” he claims.

“The audience, the fans look at the results [in] Black and white, but the people here monitor the whole thing, they listen to the communication, they listen to the commitment to the team spirit that you have together with your teammate. I think all of those things count.”

Unfortunately for Zhou, there are a number of young riders making the breakthrough, which further complicates matters.

In Alpine's case, reserve driver Jack Doohan is in an excellent position to partner Pierre Gasly next year.

Meanwhile, Liam Lawson and F2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto are also taking part in Stake.

Nevertheless, Zhou believes that his experience gives him an advantage over the up-and-coming talents, even if the results have not been as good as they could have been.

“Of course this season with the result [Stake has had]This makes life even more difficult for us, but it's not over yet,” he says.

“And I believe there is still a possibility and opportunities to continue [and stay in F1].

“I think I win with my experience, with my knowledge… to show what I can do, and I feel like this season I haven't really been able to show what I can really do.

“We took part in some races, but in the end we had a few problems and unfortunately were not able to deliver the results.”